1. 前言:新天國與新教會的信仰

首先, 將本書中所講述的真實的基督徒信仰, 也就是新天國和新教會的信仰, 分別以總體和具體的形式概要地說明。作為接下來全書的引言, 或作為進入聖殿的大門, 又或作為詳細內容的概要。此信仰被稱為新天國和新教會的信仰, 因為天人(angel)組成的天國和世人組成的教會, 如同一個人的靈魂與肉體, 內外一致,行動如一。因此, 若教會之人活在良善與真理之中, 對於思想內在而言, 他就是天國的一名天人。在肉身死後, 他便進入天國, 照著良善與真理在他裡面聯合的狀態在那裡安享極樂。當知道, 在主現在正建立的新天國中, 這樣的信仰是新天國的引言,入門和概要。

8771. 'And a holy nation' means thus the spiritual kingdom. This is clear from the meaning of 'nation' as those governed by good, dealt with in 1259, 1260, 1416, 1849, 6005; and from the meaning of 'holy' as that which has reference to truth springing from good, dealt with in 6788, 7499, 8127 (end), 8302, 8330, so that 'a holy nation' means the good from which truth is derived. Both expressions - 'a kingdom of priests' and 'a holy nation' - mean the spiritual kingdom; yet there is a difference between them. 'A kingdom of priests' means those who are governed by good from truth, whereas 'a holy nation' means those who are governed by good and by truth from this good. Those governed by good from truth use truths to look upwards to the Lord; but those governed by good and by truth from this good are with the Lord, and see truths from Him. These two states come one after the other with those who are being regenerated, in whom the spiritual kingdom, that is, the life of heaven, is implanted by the Lord. For they are led by means of truth on into good, thus into heaven since heaven consists in good; and when they are there they see truths in heaven and from heaven.